Business leaders, politicians, entertainers and sports stars filled the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja on Friday for the third edition of Megastar Man of the Decade Awards. Thirty Nigerians were honoured, and the evening doubled as a public conversation about the country’s democratic future.
Oil and gas entrepreneur Dr Julius Dediare Rone took the headline prize, the Megastar Man of the Decade Award 2026. The organisers recognised his work in gas development and his push for indigenous participation in the energy sector through UTM Offshore Limited.
The event was hosted by Channels Television On-Air Personality Geoffrey Uzono and media personality Monica Aigbe, better known as Monique D Vibe. They guided guests through a programme of awards, goodwill messages and speeches.
This year’s theme was “The Road to 2027: Citizens, Stakeholders, and the Democracy We Choose.” Speakers repeatedly pressed the point that elections are shaped as much by what voters tolerate as by what politicians promise.
Former Ogun State governor and Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East, gave the keynote address and also took part in a panel session. He asked Nigerians what kind of democracy and leadership they want, and what they are prepared to contribute as citizens.
Daniel said democracy must deliver for ordinary people beyond election day. He listed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and weak access to education, healthcare and electricity as the issues leaders should be judged on. “The time has come to move from the politics of promises to the politics of performance,” he said.
He also turned to voters, warning that ethnic, religious and partisan loyalties should not decide who gets elected. “We cannot demand responsible government while rewarding irresponsibility at the ballot box,” he said. He called on parties to field credible candidates, on electoral bodies to act transparently, on security agencies to stay impartial and on the judiciary to uphold the rule of law.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule was represented by Mohammed Yakubu Lamai, the state’s Director-General of Strategic Communication and Events Management. The message drew on Chinua Achebe’s The Trouble with Nigeria, which blames leadership failure for the country’s problems. It also questioned the continued use of identity politics to win support.
Sule’s message said trust in the country cannot grow when the conduct of its leaders fails to inspire confidence. It ended on a note of ownership: “Power is vested in the citizens, that is the crux of the matter and that is what we are sharing with you this evening.”
Executive Producer of the awards, Dr Adeniyi Ifetayo, said the platform exists to celebrate Nigerians whose work has advanced national development, and that this year’s theme was meant to move people from complaining to taking part. “Democracy is not something that happens to us,” he said. He urged eligible Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and to hold leaders to account.
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, was royal father of the occasion, with Olori Atuwatse III as royal mother. The monarch praised Ifetayo for building a platform that puts other people’s achievements first.
Among the other recipients were the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Kola Aina, Mitchell Elegbe, media personality Reuben Abati, Jubril “Wale” Tinubu, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former governors Ibrahim Shema, Olusegun Mimiko and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Football star Asisat Oshoala was also honoured, alongside several business and community leaders.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, organisers said they hope the night leaves guests with more than trophies: a push toward responsible leadership and active citizenship.
DON’T MISS: 2027: Adebayo Vows To Install Solar Power On Every Nigerian Roof In 11 Months
